How to run Windows applications on OS X /Yosemite

Although the world of OS X applications is extensive, even more since the start of the Mac App Store , there are numerous applications in Windows that has no equivalent for Mac. This is a problem that is becoming increasingly less but in various fields, many of them technical in my case as engineering, remains a headache for people who decide to switch to OS X.

But there are many ways to use Windows applications on your Mac , from installing Windows using Boot Camp to virtualize or even some most peculiar and remote desktops. Let’s talk a little about each one.

Virtual Machines

Virtual machines are one of the best ways, especially if we talk about convenience of running Windows applications on your Mac . They allow us to install other operating systems and run in a window on your desktop, as if another application or especially in newer versions, integrating it more deeply into the system.

Among the applications of virtualization best known for OS X are VMware Fusion, Parallels and VirtualBox . The first two are extra, but its good integration with the operating system and justify its cost.As for VirtualBox, the graphical support and integration are perhaps a notch off VMware Fusion and Parallels , although its performance is good within the limits of virtualization.

Because, like everything, virtualization has its drawbacks. One is that, due to its complexity, we must bear in mind that running an OS within another Windows program you want to use will not work with the same level of performance as if on a clean install ejecutásemos for it were somehow Windows.

This does not mean it will work badly, but that at some point we can notice. This loss of performance, on the other hand is getting smaller with each new version is compensated, in my view, with the flexibility offered by such systems .

Boot Camp to run Windows applications on OS X

Boot Camp, of which I have spoken many times, a virtual assistant is included in OS X that allows theinstallation of other operating systems directly on a partition on your Mac hard drive without using virtualization software such as VMware and Pararells or very simply.

This way, you can only run one operating system at a time, so each time you want to change go in OS X and Windows we restart your Mac. This is the best option if you need to use demanding applications to squeeze the full potential your computer or if you’re a gamer and you want to take a few games to a game that does not have OS X version, which, unfortunately, are many.

The disadvantage of this option is that if you need to use any OS X program while the Windows can not do it , unlike VMs.

Wine to run Windows applications on OS X

Wine is a compatibility layer native Linux lets Windows applications run on Unix-based operating systems such as OS X . In essence, Wine is an attempt to rewrite the code for Windows applications depend for they can run on other operating systems. This means that Wine is not perfect. Not all Windows applications can be run in this way and also many of those running have errors.

Best of Wine, considering the applications that can be run in this way, is its simplicity, since, unlike Boot Camp or virtual machine, Windows does not need to be installed at any time .

To use Wine, it does not provide a graphical interface itself , it is best to use one of the many third-party applications, such as wine bottle, whose simplicity is one of its strengths, as they only have to drag the .exe file for the application we want to run and if it is compatible will run. Another application is that we can use CrossOver, which also uses the open source Wine and has official support for numerous programs including some very popular.

Using stepwise WinneBottler

First we download WinneBottler. While installing, it will take some time, we have to familiarize ourselves with some basic nocienoes. First keep in mind that not all Windows applications are available for use with Wine. What makes Wine, roughly, is all files, fonts libraries needed by the target application in a different Windows operating system used. For this “packaged” applications in a folder that not all Windows applications work with Winechoose such as a document any more. Unlike the Apps OS X, this folder contains some files easily accessible and whose deletion or modification may mean that the application to crash or lose all data.

Through it WinneBottler comes with its own manager so we can uninstall apps without fear or issue any application, leaving everything clean and free.Another important detail that we have to keep in mind is that we can not expect the same performance in OS X than in Windows.It is obvious, and the user experience can change.One of the most used sections for Wine is the video game, which work quite well, we have to admit, though every day is less necessary WinneBottler or other use for it.Once we have that cleared up, let’s proceed to install an application:

Open WineBottler

We go to the Download section

Select an Application and click on “Install”

We chose, then where and how we want to install call.Accept and ready

We can have a special folder for all our applications if we want, so we will not have scattered though the default folder is “Docmuentos”.Another important detail is that the downloads may fail if the file is missing or the server that makes staying.Console to warn that he could not complete the installation will then open.In this case or if you want to install another program not available from the catalog WinneBottler, the thing is pretty simple:

Open WineBottler

We go to the Advanced section

In the “Program to Install” section select the installation file path

Click on “Install” below

We choose where we want to install it and let it do its job WineBottler

The vast majority of times, especially depending on the simplicity of the program work. What we will do is basically gather all the necessary installation files to a folder, as in the previous packages, it will work.Also, for the more adventurous, we can try as we may usesoftware programs already installed or use our owninstalled librariesor others who have more complex for what we see several options, very simplified, what do WineBottler dependencies.

Among other things, WinneBottler we can copy the program, the executable and not the installer directly.Or we may ask you to copy the program and all the files in the same folder in the directory you choose.We can also include other types of libraries and files and make them closed for installation even more comfortable in the package several times.We also use our own libraries and development files that overlap the native files.As we see, is a simple WinneBottler very powerful application, growing and so we can use the typical Windows programs in a much simpler way.

Keep in mind that we will not get the same performance in this way that we were running the program on Windows , but it is a good choice for video games, where it is widely used, and small applications for which no worthwhile use a virtual machine or Boot Camp.

Using a Remote Desktop to run Windows applications on OS X

The last option is to completely rule out any Windows application running on your Mac and use a remote access program that allows us, despite the redundancy, remote access to a Windows computer and run the applications you want.

One of the simplest options, if we use Chrome on both computers, you use the Chrome Remote Desktop to connect to a Windows computer via the browser. This is the most bizarre of all option as it involves having another computer and also have it on when we need to use in any Windows application and not about practical solutions to any of the other three.

As you can see, there are many alternatives, adapting to almost every need. From my experience, I’d take the first two . They are those that occupy more space, something to consider if you have a laptop with limited capacity such as a MacBook Air, but also the best running applications.

I used Parallels to run applications such as Solid Edge and SolidWorks, and except at certain times when you need to work on Boot Camp with them, they have achieved fluency recent versions of VMware Fusion also is remarkable. Therefore, for specific or constant but without a high work load works, seem the best option , especially as these programs are integrated into OS X.

Wine or CrossOver are, in my view, more specific options for lighter applications and also, especially in the case of CrossOver for games, which is one of its most common uses and lastly the option to use a remote desktop It is the strangest of all, but it can have its uses at some point, especially since it also allows us to have the files on the other computer. And you, what is the option you use most?